By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor

Over the years, we've had several people cover New York City for us, but I think (hope) we've finally found a long-term solution — David Flaherty, who you may already know as the man behind the great NYC-based blog Grapes & Grains.

In addition to his amble blogging duties, David works as the Operations Manager for Hearth
Restaurant and Terroir
Wine Bar in NYC's East Village and Tribeca. 

He holds a Level 3 Advanced Certificate with Distinction from the Wine and Spirits
Educational Trust and has built relationships in the wine industry
from such countries and regions as Chile, Napa Valley, New Zealand,
Finger Lakes, Rioja, Barossa and Long Island.

His passion and knowledge have been developed from working in the
restaurant, bar and retail wine industry for more than fifteen years. In
addition to food and wine, he is also digging on spirits, with a
fascination for mixology and fine bourbons.

Raised in Fort Collins, he also has a well-devleoped appreciation for specialty beers. Now an enthusiastic
homebrewer, he is a member of the American Homebrewers Association and
the NYC Homebrewers Guild.

For the New York Cork Report, he'll
cover the breweries and urban wineries of New York City. And, now that I know he's into spirits too, he may just have to write about some New York-made spirits for us as well.

Please join me in welcoming David to the team.